By Steve PetersenIn February, we recorded two episodes for our TV show.

With the anti-marriage constitutional amendment proposal appearing on the ballot this November, there has never been a better time to discuss the state of GLBT rights in Minnesota. In the first episode, host James Zimmerman interviewed GLBT activist Arthur Schultz on the ballot measure, including the exact wording and what will change if the measure passes or fails. Schultz offered reasons why atheists, agnostics, Humanists, and other freethinkers should be concerned about the rights and freedoms of the GLBT community regardless of whether they themselves are gay or lesbian. Arthur noted that the current legislative bias against the GLBT community has its roots in religion, and he offered rebuttals to common objections to GLBT rights. After giving details about the GLBT population in Minnesota, Schultz provided resources for how freethinkers can assist in the cause and learn more.

In the second episode, James Zimmerman talked with librarian Mindy Rhiger, and book club organizer and editor Eric Jayne. Together, they discussed Richard Dawkins' latest book, The Magic of Reality. After providing a brief survey, Mindy and Eric offered opinions on the book's target audience and if the book succeeds in addressing that audience. The trio gave details about their favorite chapters, and noted how Dawkins' writing was not as strong when outside the field of biology. Eric discussed the beauty of the illustrations and mentioned which pictures his children find most appealing. Mindy, meanwhile, provided information regarding the book's availability in local and school libraries. After responding to objections by the religious community, Eric offered a selection of other notable Dawkins books, while Mindy gave brief synopses of four other science books for the children of secular parents.

All episodes can be viewed on the cable stations listed below, or through iTunes, thanks to Grant Hermanson.

If you would like to sponsor our program in your community, or have an idea for a program, or if you have a public access television station in your community, please contact me, Steve Petersen, at dir3@mnatheists.org or 651-484-9277.

With the anti-marriage constitutional amendment proposal appearing on the ballot this November, there has never been a better time to discuss the state of GLBT rights in Minnesota. In the first episode, host James Zimmerman interviewed GLBT activist Arthur Schultz on the ballot measure, including the exact wording and what will change if the measure passes or fails. Schultz offered reasons why atheists, agnostics, Humanists, and other freethinkers should be concerned about the rights and freedoms of the GLBT community regardless of whether they themselves are gay or lesbian. Arthur noted that the current legislative bias against the GLBT community has its roots in religion, and he offered rebuttals to common objections to GLBT rights. After giving details about the GLBT population in Minnesota, Schultz provided resources for how freethinkers can assist in the cause and learn more.

In the second episode, James Zimmerman talked with librarian Mindy Rhiger, and book club organizer and editor Eric Jayne. Together, they discussed Richard Dawkins' latest book, The Magic of Reality. After providing a brief survey, Mindy and Eric offered opinions on the book's target audience and if the book succeeds in addressing that audience. The trio gave details about their favorite chapters, and noted how Dawkins' writing was not as strong when outside the field of biology. Eric discussed the beauty of the illustrations and mentioned which pictures his children find most appealing. Mindy, meanwhile, provided information regarding the book's availability in local and school libraries. After responding to objections by the religious community, Eric offered a selection of other notable Dawkins books, while Mindy gave brief synopses of four other science books for the children of secular parents.

All episodes can be viewed on the cable stations listed below, or through iTunes, thanks to Grant Hermanson.

If you would like to sponsor our program in your community, or have an idea for a program, or if you have a public access television station in your community, please contact me, Steve Petersen, at dir3@mnatheists.org or 651-484-9277.